2011 Allen and Ginter box break and review.

Well I controlled myself pretty well, not getting sucked into trying to chase a Score football set out of boredom.  And to be honest I didn't know if I wanted to try and get sucked into A & G again this year like I did last year, but I couldn't help it.  I had to pick up some 9 pocket pages the other day and it just so happens the store got their case of Allen and Ginter in.  So I decided why the heck not, at least one box.

So here we go.

The cards.  Seems a lot of people, or bloggers, don't really like the design.  I actually think it's alright. But it seems familiar, hmmmm oh yeah

I guess I can see where the hate for the design comes from.  I've heard lots of people, bloggers, express that this is probably one of the worst designs put out by Upper Deck ever. 

Here's the backs.

Here's my box topper.

The Hometown Heroes insert, got a bunch of these.

Highlight sketches. 

Black border mini parallels.

The Ascent of Man inserts.  I really like these. The illustration is just incredible.  And then on closer inspection I noticed something.

I'm not sure how all the other cards fit together.  If they all form one big picture or if there are multiple different scenes, but still beautiful.

Animals in Peril Mini's

Portraits of Penultimacy. Hey that looks like Mike Gellner from JD's Wildcardz. I think it is.  For those who don't know Penultimate means next to last, or second banana.  That seems kinda mean of Topps.

World's most Mysterious Figures.  D.B. Cooper you have a message.

Now onto my favorite mini set and insert.

I'm a big history buff and I love these type of cards I will definitely be trying to complete this set.

And Uninvited Guests.  I'm also a big fan of all those paranormal shows.  Sure they never seem to find anything, but...

No flower cards unfortunately, I guess there about 1 per case.  I was planning on actually planting my card to see if it would actually grow.  Oh well.

Now onto the hits.

My First WTF card this year.  I didn't know the Ray's played in plaid.  Maybe a look at the back will clarify.

Travel day memorabilia?? Really?  You know what that really means?  Street clothes!  Topps is now putting players street clothes in their relics!  This is an epic fail.  Luckily I found some better goodies.

Brennan Boesch 2 color relic. OK a little better.

Jose Reyes Silk card numbered to 10!!!! The Reyes and Boesch were actually in the same pack.  Interesting, I've heard of other people getting multi-hit packs as well.

But it gets better.  When I looked at the autograph checklist when it came out months ago there was only a couple auto's I really wanted. I would have loved to get a Pacquio or LaMotta auto, but this this is the one I really wanted.

Holy Crap True Believers!!!!!! 

Man I really really want to keep this card but it's hard when looked on Ebay and his blue autos are going for around 70 bucks, his card could more than pay for the box and maybe get me another one.  But I think I'm going to hold on to it.  And I'm probably done busting boxes of A&G. After this box I really couldn't see beating it unless I got a bat knob book or something like that. 

Over all I'm going to have to give this product a Lucy.  I've been reading a lot of box breaks on Blowout card forums and there have been some really dude boxes out there.  Ones with no autos.  So my impression is definitely skewed here with this awesome box.  But I'm still giving it a Lucy.

and I think some bulging eye's just for the Stan Lee.

cb out.

Edit:  I've been mulling it over and I have to give the Stan Lee card the highest review rating ever here on Collector's Crack.  While the earlier ratings still stand Mr. Lee gets atomic, oh yes, I think it's deserved.